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Addiction research published in 2021

61 studies whose primary subject is addiction were published in 2021, up from 37 in 2020. Newest first. Back to the addiction overview

Studies

Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review

Frontiers in Psychiatry December 23, 2021 A. Fiorentini, Filippo Cantù, Camilla Crisanti et al. 123 citations

Background: On the current psychopharmacological panorama, the variety of substances able to provoke an episode of acute psychosis is rapidly increasing. Such psychotic episodes are classified according to the major category of symptoms: positive, negative, or cognitive psychotic episodes. On one hand, the abuse of methamphetamines, cannabis, and cocaine plays a big role in increasing the...

Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review

BJPsych Open December 23, 2021 Zach Walsh, Özden Merve Mollaahmetoğlu, Joseph M. Rootman et al. 180 citations

Background In the past two decades, subanaesthetic doses of ketamine have been demonstrated to have rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, and accumulating research has demonstrated ketamine's therapeutic effects for a range of psychiatric conditions. Aims In light of these findings surrounding ketamine's psychotherapeutic potential, we systematically review the extant evidence on...

Psychedelics and Hallucinogens in Psychiatry: Finding New PharmacologicalTargets

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry December 2, 2021 Teresa Reynolds de Sousa, João Rema, Sérgio Machado et al. 7 citations

Background: The therapeutic options for neurobehavioral disorders are still limited, and in many cases, they lack a satisfactory balance between efficacy and side effects. Objective: This work aims to review current evidence regarding the potential contribution of psychedelics and hallucinogens to the discovery of new drugs for treating different psychiatric disorders. Discussion:...

Classic psychedelics in the treatment of substance use disorder: Potential synergies with twelve-step programs.

International Journal of Drug Policy December 1, 2021 David B. Yaden, Andrea P Berghella, Paul S. Regier et al.

Several pilot studies have provided evidence supporting the potential of classic psychedelics like psilocybin in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). If larger trials confirm efficacy, classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may eventually be integrated into existing addiction treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and medication-assisted...

A Virtual Reality Meditative Intervention Modulates Pain and the Pain Neuromatrix in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder.

Pain Medicine November 26, 2021 Mohammed M Faraj, Nina M Lipanski, Austin Morales et al.

Standard of care for opioid use disorder (OUD) includes medication and counseling. However, there is an unmet need for complementary approaches to treat OUD patients coping with pain; furthermore, few studies have probed neurobiological features of pain or its management during OUD treatment. This preliminary study examines neurobiological and behavioral effects of a virtual reality-based...

Ayahuasca blocks ethanol preference in an animal model of dependence and shows no acute toxicity

Journal of Ethnopharmacology November 22, 2021 Bruno Gianfratti, Ricardo Tabach, Marna Eliana Sakalem et al. 23 citations

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAyahuasca, a psychoactive beverage prepared from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, is originally used by Amazon-based indigenous and mestizo groups for medicinal and ritualistic purposes. Nowadays, ayahuasca is used in religious and shamanic contexts worldwide, and preliminary evidence from preclinical and observational studies suggests therapeutic...

DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114865 (opens in new tab) Ayahuasca Acute toxicity Pharmacology Ethanol +1

Researchers hope psilocybin could improve quit rates for smokers

Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly November 19, 2021 Gary Enos

With nicotine being one of the most addictive substances and the available treatments for nicotine addiction leading to no better than a 30% success rate, it's no wonder that a newly announced multisite study of the psychedelic psilocybin for smoking cessation is generating excitement. While taking care not to oversell the potential of this strategy, those involved with the research hope at...

DOI: 10.1002/adaw.33270 (opens in new tab) Psilocybin Wonder Nicotine addiction Smoking cessation +2

Policy in focus: Is psilocybin the next cannabis?

Canadian Medical Association Journal November 14, 2021 Greg Basky 7 citations

Research interest in the therapeutic use of psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms," is growing alongside a "wild west" of dispensaries in Canada and the United States. The past decade has seen a revival of research exploring the clinical use of psychedelics in treating depression, addiction,

Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol During Adolescence Reprograms the Nucleus Accumbens Transcriptome, Affecting Reward Processing, Impulsivity, and Specific Aspects of Cocaine Addiction-Like Behavior in a Sex-Dependent Manner.

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology November 12, 2021 Javier Orihuel, Roberto Capellán, David Roura-Martínez et al.

Cannabis exposure during adolescence is associated with emotional and motivational alterations that may entail an enhanced risk of developing psychiatric disorders. In rodent models, exposure to cannabinoids during adolescence leads to increased self-administration of opiates and cocaine, however, the psychological and neural mechanisms and the sex-specificity of this phenomenon are largely...

A “GENERAL THEORY OF MENTAL SUFFERING”, AND THE ROLE OF AN INNOVATIVE NARRATIVE THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Psychological Thought October 30, 2021 Derek Botha 2 citations

This article proposes alternative understandings of certain structuralist informed (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-IIIrd to 5th Eds.) configurations of mental disorders. Life’s negative discourses and the mind’s captive responses present a “general theory of mental suffering” which phenomena are classified as modernist, DSM mental disorders, such as addictions,...

Improved Executive Functions and Reduced Craving in Youths with Methamphetamine Addiction: Evidence from Combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation with Mindfulness Treatment

Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience October 25, 2021 Jaber Alizadehgoradel, Saeed Imani, Vahid Nejati et al. 28 citations

OBJECTIVE: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mindfulness practices have been proposed as a potential approach to improve executive functions (EFs) and reduce craving in persons with substance use disorders. Based on the neural mechanisms of action of each of these interventions, the combination of both non-pharmacological interventions might have additive effects. In the...

Mindfulness-based interventions for substance use disorders.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews October 20, 2021 Simon B. Goldberg, Brian Pace, Matas Griskaitis et al.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly prevalent and associated with a substantial public health burden. Although evidence-based interventions exist for treating SUDs, many individuals remain symptomatic despite treatment, and relapse is common.Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been examined for the treatment of SUDs, but available evidence is mixed. Objectives: To...

Finding the divine within: exploring the role of the sacred in psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma and dysfunction

Sexual & Relationship Therapy October 20, 2021 Dee Dee Goldpaugh 22 citations

During the last two decades, psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as one of the most promising novel treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. These medicines have also been used in sacred, ritual settings for, in some cases, centuries. Often referred to as entheogens (meaning “creating the divine within”), psychedelic plant medicines such as psilocybin...

DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2021.1994138 (opens in new tab) Psilocybin Pleasure Human sexuality Psychotherapist +9

Methoxphenidine (MXP) induced abnormalities: Addictive and schizophrenia-related behaviours based on an imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain.

British Journal of Pharmacology October 1, 2021 Kwang-Hyun Hur, Seong-Eon Kim, Shi-Xun Ma et al.

Methoxphenidine is a dissociative-based novel psychoactive designer drug. Although fatal accidents from methoxphenidine abuse have been reported, recreational use of the drug continues. We aim to provide scientific supportfor legal regulation of recreational abuse of methoxphenidine by demonstrating its the pharmacological action. Addictive potential of methoxphenidine was examined using...

DOI: 10.1111/bph.15528 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Addiction Mxp Nmda receptor antagonist Dissociative drug +2

Psilocybin: Next to treat depression, OCD and nicotine addiction

Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly September 24, 2021 Alison Knopf

First it was the plant, cannabis. How could this be made into a saleable profit‐making commodity when it grows in the ground? Witness the marijuana (a chemical from the plant) industry, which lobbied to make sure laws in states that legalized it banned people from growing more than a few plants.

Effectiveness of Stress-Based Mindfulness Therapy on the Students' Feelings of Loneliness and Internet Addiction

Pajouhan Scientific Journal September 1, 2021 M. Ahmadi, Zahra Nikomanesh, A. Farnam

Background and Objectives: One of the most modern addictive behaviors is the phenomenon of Internet addiction, which is associated with criteria, such as withdrawal, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of stress-based mindfulness therapy on the students' feelings of loneliness and Internet addiction. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental...

Psychedelic Knowledge and Opinions in Psychiatrists at Two Professional Conferences: An Exploratory Survey

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs August 19, 2021 Brian S. Barnett, Yvan Beaussant, Franklin King et al. 64 citations

Despite resurgent interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy, our insights into psychiatrists' knowledge and opinions about medicinal psychedelic applications are surprisingly narrow. Therefore, we anonymously surveyed psychiatrists attending psychedelic didactic presentations at two national meetings about these issues using a 26-item questionnaire. Response rate was 40.20% (106/264)....

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2021.1957183 (opens in new tab) Addiction Legalization Exploratory research Social science

What can we learn from the history of research on psychedelic drugs in the addictions?

Addiction August 12, 2021 Wayne Hall, Michael Farrell 8 citations

The history of research on the use of psychedelic drugs to treat alcohol dependence in the 1950s and 1960s suggests the need for caution in their proposed clinical use. Since 2006 there has been a revival of interest in using psychedelics to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorders [1] and the addictions [2]. What lessons may we glean from research in the 1950s and 1960s on the use...

[Efficacy of psychedelics in psychiatry, a systematic review of the literature].

L'Encephale August 1, 2021 Lucie Berkovitch, Bruno Romeo, Laurent Karila et al. 25 citations

Psychedelics are powerful psychoactive substances. Natural psychedelics have been used for millennia by human civilizations, in particular in Latin America, while synthetic psychedelics were discovered in the 50s, giving rise to a lot of research before they were prohibited. More recently, their therapeutic properties have been studied especially to help patients with psychiatric conditions,...